Saka: ‘I’m happy to take that gamble’ as England star vows to push through pain for World Cup glory | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka has said he is willing to continue risking his fitness to help England to World Cup success this summer.

Saka has been struggling with an Achilles issue in recent months and saw his minutes managed during the run-in forArsenal.

He completed the entire 90 minutes in thePremier League just once after picking up the problem in March, and was substituted during Arsenal's Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite not being in top condition, Saka was selected by Thomas Tuchel for this summer's tournament.

The England manager has admitted he will need to manage Saka's load, but the 24-year-old has said he is willing to push his body, despite the risk of being criticised while not being 100% match fit.

"Yeah, but I think as players it's the biggest gamble, especially if you're not feeling your sharpest. You have the choice whether you don't play or you put yourself out there knowing that people are going to judge you the same,"Saka said ahead of tomorrow's World Cup opener against Croatia.

"And at the end of the day people don't really care how you're feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform.

"I'm happy to take that gamble and it paid off I'd say, and I'm going to continue doing that - but like I said I'm feeling a lot better than I did in March and I'm ready to go, so I'm excited."

Saka was asked whether he would be fit to start against Croatia in Dallas, and insisted he is ready for the Three Lion's tournament opener.

"I don't want to say anything that goes against the manager," Saka added.

"What I would say is that between Mikel [Arteta] and the Arsenal medical team and Thomas [Tuchel] and the England medical team, since March they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team.

"I'm feeling better than I have felt in the last few months and I'm ready to go."